Edward C. Pickering papers
Scope and Contents of the Collection
A highlight of this collection is the lecture outlines and problem sets for courses in physics taught by Charles E. Pickering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology between 1867 and 1869. Lecture topics include hydrodynamics, hydrostatics, mechanics, heat, and optics. Notes include some student lists and grades. The collection also includes several articles and a pamphlet authored by Pickering about activities at the Harvard College Observatory. There is also biographical materials as the collection contains reprints of memorials to Pickering after his death in 1919. Charles Pickering spent most of his professional life at Harvard University, and the bulk of the records about his work are at the Harvard University Archives.
Dates
- Creation: 1867 - 1922
Creator
Access note
This collection is open.
Conditions Governing Use
Access to collections in the Department of Distinctive Collections is not authorization to publish. Please see the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy for permission information. Copyright of some items in this collection may be held by respective creators, not by the donor of the collection or MIT.
Biography
Edward Charles Pickering, 1846-1919, was a physicist and astronomer. He earned an B.S.degree in 1865, from the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard, then joined the first instructing staff of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1866 as an assistant instructor in physics. At MIT he was then assistant professor of physics, 1867-1868, and Thayer Professor of Physics, 1868-1877. From 1875 to 1877, he was also director and organizer of the Rogers Laboratory,the first laboratory for instruction in physics in the United States, a project initially proposed by MIT's founder, William Barton Rogers, in his "Scope and Plan" for the Institute.
Edward Pickering was involved in many scientific activities, including expeditions to observe total sun eclipses. A complete description of his professional work can be found in the National Academy of Sciences, Biographical Memoirs. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences at age 27.
In February 1877 Pickering moved to Harvard as the director of the Harvard College Astronomical Laboratory. His research included photometric investigations of the magnitude of stars, visual, photovisual, and photographic. Just before his death he completed the cataloging of every known star, about 220,000 stars, classified with special reference to their physical qualities as determined by their spectra.
Edward Pickering was a founding member of the Appalachian Mountain Club in 1876, serving as its first president in 1877.
"Biographical Memoir of Edward Charles Pickering, 1846-1919", by Solon I. Bailey, National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoirs, Volume 15, 1932. The memoir includes a bibliography of Edward Pickering's scientific works (pages 179-189).
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet ((1 half manuscript box) )
Language of Materials
English
Physical Location
Materials are stored off-site. Advance notice is required for use.
Bibliography
- Report on the Physical Laboratory, by Edward Pickering. In Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute Archives and Special Collections, AC 74.
- Progress of the Physical Department of the Mass. Institute of Technology from 1867-1877, by Edward C. Pickering. In Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute Archives and Special Collections, AC 74.
Processing Information note
Some collection descriptions are based on legacy data and may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies. Description may change pending verification. Please contact the MIT Department of Distinctive Collections if you notice any errors or discrepancies.
Subject
- Title
- Guide to the Papers of Edward C. Pickering
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 1979
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021 August 20: Edited by Lana Mason for compliance with DACS single-level optimum requirements.
Repository Details
Part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Libraries. Department of Distinctive Collections Repository
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries
Building 14N-118
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139-4307 US
distinctive-collections@mit.edu